HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(looking back on 2011 the year we turned 30..the good bits in about 900 words)
WITH LOVE FROM MAURITIUS... JILL & ROB xoxo
January saw Rob returning to London for a week on business and departing with an armful of select supplies - un-official William & Kate engagement cups, an array of London Underground souvenirs, and half a kilo of duty free tea! Robs epic effort - braving not only the cold, but crowds on Oxford Street and curious glances at the Selfridges cosmetic counters meant that Jill also now has a years worth of essential beauty supplies (not sold, nor inimitable in Mauritius - ha ha). February saw us making a less than traditional, albeit luxurious (i.e. in an air-conditioned car) pilgrimage for the colourful Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratree to the sacred Ganga Talao site. Half of the 1.2 million locals make the 20km journey each year bare foot, carrying Kanwars and indeed it would have been quicker by foot, carrying a Kanwar, with our driving speed averaging 4kms/hr. Maybe this year!

March was quite hectic work-wise, and with our lease due to expire in May, any spare-time was consumed with house-hunting. The final two contenders ran close. Even on our modest budget (which is seemingly not, when converted to Mauritian Rupees!), the runner-up had private access to the beach. However the winner clinched the deal with a vista over the salt-fields and ocean!

April greeted us with a visit from Jills family armed with enough vegemite to convert the entire population of Mauritius (Thanks Mum & Aunty Lynda!). Their holiday itinerary was slightly more diverse than that for most tourists, enhanced by our local connections which saw them attending Hindu cultural celebrations such as Varusha Pirappu (Tamil New Year) and a Hindu wedding dressed in traditional attire; visiting a Mauritian family in their home; receiving a personal Indian cooking demonstration (with butter chicken, roti and a vegetable curry on the menu); and interacting with the local animals from our neighbours baby goat to zebras and lion & tiger cubs at the nature park. There were also many opportunities to master the art of island photography, from teetering on the edges of salt pans in the early morning sun to capture the field workers in action, through to sailing boats in silhouette on the Indian Ocean at sunset and the headspinning twirls of the sega dancers by night. Plenty of dinners on the beach, packed picnics, coastal drives and market shopping also featured on the itinerary. Rob was also reunited with his beloved golf clubs (polished & in a new travel case Thanks Dad!) which enabled a few games - in lieu of shopping with the girls, of course!

May was spent packing and unpacking boxes with a DIY move to our new house. The new abode is a mere three streets away from the old one however with regular hot water. After transporting countless car loads of boxes, we celebrated the move (read: collapsed) on our sun-lounges with a few beers on the terrace! June was the month that Rob turned 30, a cause for a couple of meals out and a tropical island themed birthday cake - made by Jill. July saw Rob out on a 10 day African work safari, flitting (some by aircraft with propellers!) between our finance offices located within the capital cities of South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Zambia. Although a hurried visit, he did manage to see some animals with a game drive in Lusaka. August & September were marked by two of the most significant events of our year a trip to Italy and Jills th 30 birthday. Our 21 day, self planned and thus self-titled Robeo & Jilliet, tour of Italy started in Milan and ended with an opera in (...you guessed it) Verona. Managing to survive a freak heat-wave, we covered Venice, Rome, Naples, Pompei, The Amalfi Coast, Florence, Tuscany (Siena, San Gimignano, Assisi, Pisa) and Cinque Terre. As if that wasnt enough, Jill spent her 30th birthday relaxing in Mauritius with a few cocktails and a table for two on the beach!

October was a fairly quiet month. Though, it sparked up at the end with some firecrackers for the Hindu celebration of Divali (the festival of lights) as well as some backyard home-entertaining. November & December saw us preparing for round two of guests with the Davelaar family visiting us. Christmas came early in Mauritius, with Santa (aka Derek) and his elves stopping by Rughoo Lane (the street name of our Mauritian family) with gifts for all. After job well done, the lounge room floor was cleared for dancing to latest Hindu tunes followed by some henna hand painting! With more work to be done, the elves proved to be good market shoppers, driving a hard bargain in order to fill the sleigh back to Australia. And the Mauritian festive season wouldnt be complete without Helen and Derek busting some moves to La Bumba (albeit a murdered rendition of the song) on the beach, surviving quite a few very big cats (not to mention the local cuisine!), rolling out some roti and a special home cooked gourmet dinner (Thanks Helen & Derek!). We celebrated Christmas Day with lunch locally, by the water and welcomed the New Year again in Rughoo Lane style, lighting firecrackers and drinking the local rum. Training was provided for us newbies and we stand as living proof that the operation was successful. We wish you & your family a happy, healthy and safe 2012 and we look forward to hearing from you. Visitors are ALWAYS welcome! (hint hint) Love Jill & Rob xxoo